2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Trains has scooped two major awards at the annual Cheshire Best Kept Station awards held on 22 January 2013. Crewe station picked up an award for the fifth year running and Macclesfield station was also a winner.
Crewe (Best Staffed Station Award)
Pictured (left to right): David Roberts, former Chairman and Managing Director of Roberts Bakery; Stan Critchley, Team Leader, Virgin Trains; David Briggs, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire; Lesley Ross, Station Manager, Virgin Trains; Cllr George Walton, Mayor Cheshire East.
John Hulme, Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Station, said: “Our Best Staffed Station Award is for the staffed station that provides its customers with the best customer experience.
“Station Manager, Sheila Breeze and all her staff at Crewe Station should be congratulated on winning this coveted award. Crewe is one of the busiest interchange stations in the country and, whilst Virgin’s team at Crewe must concentrate on the station’s operational needs, they must be commended for the welcome and service they provide to the travelling public visiting Cheshire and beyond. Once again, Virgin’s investment in caring for its customers shines through.”
Sheila Breeze, Virgin Trains’ Station Manager for Crewe, began her railway career at the station in 1998. Sheila said: “I am so pleased and proud of the Virgin team at Crewe. After a difficult year for everyone, with all the uncertainty about the franchise, they have continued to deliver great service to our customers.
“They deserve the recognition of this award for the hard work they have put in to keep improving our customers’ experience. I cannot thank them enough and it is a pleasure to lead this award-winning team!”
The award follows hard on the heels of a recent innovation introduced at the station to support local businesses. Virgin Trains is opening the doors of Cheshire Lounge, the First Class Lounge, to local businesses every Wednesday, giving them a platform to show off some of their best products.
Macclesfield (Roberts Bakery Special Award)
Pictured (left to right): David Roberts, former Chairman and Managing Director of Roberts Bakery; Stan Critchley, Team Leader, Virgin Trains; David Briggs, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire; Lesley Ross, Station Manager, Virgin Trains; Cllr George Walton, Mayor Cheshire East.
John Hulme, Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Station, said: “The Roberts Bakery Special Award is for a Cheshire Station where teamwork and pride is at the top of their agenda.
“The staff at Macclesfield station, led by Station Manager, Lesley Ross, take pride in offering a first class service to all those travelling by train from this Cheshire station.
“Virgin’s stand of going that extra mile and getting it right first time is always welcomed by the customer, whether they are commuting or using the train for pleasure.
“Their teamwork approach alongside Virgin’s elite customer service certainly makes a difference at Macclesfield.”
Station Manager, Lesley Ross said: “I am delighted for the team at Macclesfield to receive this fully deserved award. Macclesfield station is a busy and important location and though it is a small team, in comparison to our larger locations, their commitment, customer focus and team ethic deliver the high standards expected by our customers. After a difficult and uncertain year for us all I am proud that the team were still able to impress the Cheshire Best Kept Stations panel and our customers.”
Cheshire Best Kept Station competition
David Briggs, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, was Special Guest and he presented the Awards. He said: “The Annual Cheshire Best Kept Station competition is one of the most important community events of the year in Cheshire.
“It brings together a wide range of people from all over the County who care about the environment in which we live and of course it also gives a great incentive to many groups to ensure that Cheshire stations are kept not only neat and tidy but also full of flowers and other attractions.
“Everyone in the County owes a debt of gratitude to John Hulme who has for 10 years masterminded this event and also to all the many people who do so much to ensure the splendour of our local stations.”
Notes to Editors
Cheshire Best Kept Station awards
For further information please contact John Hulme, mobile: 07917 819101, email: jh@johnhulme.com
Roberts Bakery Special Award
Roberts Bakery is a long established (125 years old), respected Cheshire company and one of the largest independent bakeries in the country. It is privately owned by the ‘Roberts Family’ and David Roberts is the senior member of the family although retired. Website: www.robertsbakery.co.uk